The Best & Worst Personality Traits to Have
Have you ever wondered what makes one person so likable and another completely off-putting? It often comes down to their personality, but what exactly makes someone stand out from the crowd? It probably goes without saying, but our habits, attitudes, and behaviors can either make us incredibly magnetic—or immediately drive others away. If you're curious where you stand, here are 10 traits that make you more likable and 10 that will send people packing.
1. You Smile a Lot
If you needed to ask a stranger for the time, would you approach someone who smiles kindly at you or one who glares you down? The choice is probably obvious: after all, a simple smile goes a long way, and it can reveal how friendly someone is before you even start chatting or getting to know them.
2. You Actively Listen
Ever had a conversation with someone who genuinely paid attention to your words and asked the right questions to keep the flow going? Active listening makes you instantly likable because you show that you care about what others are saying, and not just pretending to care.
3. You're Empathetic
People gravitate to those who are empathetic because they make them feel seen and heard. Showing empathy isn't just as simple as saying "Oh, that's too bad," but showing genuine care and shouldering others' pain as if it were your own. This allows you to form deeper emotional connections with the people around you.
4. You Have a Good Sense of Humor
People also tend to gravitate to those who have a great sense of humor and can crack jokes about themselves. This means you don't take things too seriously, are easy to get along with, and you're skilled at lightening up the mood with just your personality and presence alone.
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5. You're Confident Without Being Arrogant
There's something super attractive and likable about people who are confident in their own skin and don't feel the need to brag about it. Why? Because that kind of personality shows that they value their own individuality without needing to belittle or overshadow others to make them seem better. This attitude sparks inspiration, and makes others feel valued, too.
6. You're Reliable
When you're reliable, people know they can trust you when they need you most. This means you keep promises—or make up for them when you need to break them—and you don't just say empty words. If you say you'll be there, you'll be there.
7. You're Open-Minded & Curious
People like those who are open-minded and hold a genuine curiosity about the world and what others have to say. This means, for example, you share your ideas, but don't lash out or dismiss others when they reveal their own thoughts or attempt to educate you. Instead, you listen without judgment, even if your views differ, because you want to absorb more knowledge about the things and people around you.
8. You're Grateful
Saying "thank you" and showing appreciation for others goes a long way. Think about it: Would you feel happier about someone who thanks you when you do something for them, like hold the door open, or someone who simply ignores you and takes your kindness for granted?
9. You're Positive—But Not Afraid to Show Vulnerability
When you're upbeat and positive, people love gravitating toward that type of energy. But that doesn't mean you're always happy-go-lucky. In fact, showing vulnerability alongside your fun, playful, and optimistic self allows others to see that you're human, too, and that makes people like you even more.
10. You're Genuine & Authentic
People like those who are genuine and authentic—someone who isn't afraid to be truly themselves. Why? Because that shows others that you're not hiding your personality under a mask to be someone you're not, just to "fit in" better with the crowd. When you're apologetic about who you are and how comfortable you are in your own skin, that makes you far more appealing and likable.
What, then, are some traits that make you dislikable? Here are 10 negative qualities that will make people steer clear of you:
1. You're Pessimistic
People want to be around someone who makes them happy—they don't want to be around someone who's always down in the dumps. When you constantly hold a pessimistic view about the world and everything around you, you'll only push others away, simply because they don't want to be sucked into that negativity, too.
2. You're Always Angry
If you're always lashing out at others or complaining about every little thing, no one will want to talk to you or even come near you in case they set off your fuse. The result? You'll probably be left alone to simmer in your own short temper.
3. You Have a Permanent Frown on Your Face
Remember the first likable trait we highlighted? Ask yourself: Would you gravitate to someone who smiles often or one who's always frowning? Probably the former, right? And that's likely because we feel we can form a positive, genuine connection with a person who comes off friendly at first glance than, well, someone who looks like they hate everything with a passion.
4. Your Body Language Says "Don't Come Near Me"
More than just frowning, if your body language screams "don't come near me," people are likely going to steer clear of you. This might mean you're always crossing your arms, putting your head down, or avoiding eye contact with others. Either way, you're closing yourself off to those around you.
5. You Gossip
People don't like those who constantly gossip, especially the type who badmouths close friends behind their backs. After all, this shows that you're not genuine and can't be trusted with a secret, and would rather throw someone under the bus just for a good laugh or some juicy conversation.
6. You Frequently Flake on Others
It's one thing to cancel last minute when something important genuinely comes up, but it's another thing entirely if you're constantly breaking promises and flaking on plans. This, after all, shows that you're not reliable, and that fractures trust.
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7. You're Selfish
If you're always only thinking about yourself, making everything about you, and shoving yourself into the center of attention even when the spotlight is on someone else, people are going to steer clear. No one wants to be around someone who's constantly spouting "me, me, me."
8. You Lie a Lot
People don't like those who are dishonest. If you lie about everything you do, you'll have a hard time building trust in relationships, and any connection you do make won't last long. The key is to be your genuine self; those who like your personality will stay, and the ones who don't will leave.
9. You're Arrogant
If you're good at something, it's understandable to want to brag about it. But there's a difference between being confident in yourself and being arrogant, and the latter is when you're constantly shoving how great you are at something into others' faces. It goes without saying that no one appreciates that.
10. You Interrupt Others
Instead of letting others have a chance to speak, you're constantly interrupting and speaking over them or turning the conversation back to you. In fact, most of the time you're the only one talking because you don't allow others to voice their own thoughts. Having that kind of trait is a sure way to get others to dislike you.
